VITEMA Monitoring Two Areas of Disturbance In Tropical Atlantic

The Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA) said this afternoon that it’s keeping a watchful eye on two tropical waves off the coast of Africa.

“According to the US National Weather Service at San Juan, it’s still too early to forecast these systems but at least one may impact the USVI as a tropical depression on Sunday,” said VITEMA Director Mona Barnes. “We will continue to monitor and track their development and keep the public informed.”

According to the National Hurricane Center, as of the 2 p.m. today, a tropical wave located about 1700 miles east-southeast of the Leeward Islands is moving westward at about 30 miles per hour. Environmental conditions are expected to be somewhat conducive for development this weekend when the disturbance could be near the northern Lesser Antilles and Puerto Rico. There is low chance that this system will form into a tropical cyclone in next five days.

A second tropical wave accompanied by a low-pressure system is producing an area of showers and thunderstorms about 350 miles south-southeast of Cabo Verde. Some development of this disturbance is possible during the next few days while it moves westward or west-northwestward at 10 to 15 miles per hour, according to the Center. However, environmental conditions are expected to become less conducive for development early next week when the system is over the central tropical Atlantic Ocean. This system has a medium chance of forming within the next five days.

“I encourage everyone to make preparedness a priority as we head into the peak of the 2016 Atlantic Hurricane Season,” Ms. Barnes said. “Now is the time to ensure you have a family disaster plan in place, stock up on your emergency supplies and make sure you stay informed about weather systems that might impact the USVI.”

For more information about how to prepare visit www.VITEMA.gov.